Thank you to those who attended and supported the Indian Foster Youth Academy. It was a great success!
IDRS Organizes Summer Training Academy
To Support Advocacy by Indian Foster Youth
In July, IDRS hosted the Indian Foster Youth Academy. The Indian Foster Youth Academy was designed to train Indian youth who are currently or were formerly in foster care in presentation and advocacy skills to bring their case for culture and health directly to tribes, counties, and California policymakers. The Academy focused on teaching positive, action-oriented skills to transition-age Indian foster youth so they are educated and empowered to improve their conditions. When youth focus on negative conditions, they can feel frustrated and helpless; which drives feelings of anger and hopelessness. Key to policy that facilitates access to services will be the ability of Native youth to communicate and address conditions.
Indian Dispute Resolution Services competitively selected ten American Indian foster youth, or former foster youth, ages 15-22 for training in negotiation and to serve as spokespersons advocating on behalf of a policy reform package. This group of advocates participated in four days of special skills training in cross-cultural communication and negotiation processes, as well as training in public presentation, establishing personal presence, advocacy, and message development. A fifth training day was spent on the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Lessons Learned
For all present in the Academy it was the first time they’d participated in a group in which everyone, including the facilitator, was both American Indian and had experiences in the California dependency system. Much of the first day of training was spent bonding over common experiences and concerns. The cohort formed strong bonds despite the range in ages, education, and the diversity of tribes and regions represented. The group was honest, expressive, passionate, and very supportive of one another. The Indian Foster Youth Academy was an extraordinary experience that highlights the unmet need for American Indian youth with dependency experiences to associate and communicate with one another for mutual support and understanding.
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~Heather Zenone, Esq.